Wireless communication system that supports multiple standards, multiple protocol revisions, multiple extended services and multiple extended services delivery options and method of operation therefor

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication system facilitates communication with subscribing units within a respective service area that supports at least one communication protocol revision. The system communicates with a subscribing unit operating within a respective service area to determine the communication protocol revisions supported by the subscribing unit. Subsequently, the subscribing unit and base station communicate according to a supported communication protocol revision. The base station and subscribing unit further communicate to indicate extended services supported by the subscribing unit and the methods of delivering the extended services to the subscribing unit. The extended services include caller line ID, message waiting indications and short message services among other extended services. In addition to a base station, the wireless communication system may include a mobile switching center that is in communication with the base station. The mobile switching center includes a visitor location register that records communication protocol revisions of the subscribing unit.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. Utility Ser. No.10/963,478, filed Oct. 12, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,580,707,which is a continuation of U.S. Utility Ser. No. 09/629,786, filed Jul.31, 2000, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. Utility Ser.No. 09/002,064, filed Dec. 13, 1997, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,169,893, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.08/938,227, filed Sep. 26, 1997, now abandoned, which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. Sec. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/042,614, filed Apr. 4, 1997, all of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to the delivery of vertical featuresthat have been recently incorporated into North American analog anddigital cellular/PCS standards. More specifically, the inventionprovides a method and apparatus for wireless communication systems toquery mobile stations operating in analog mode as the need arises forthe detailed capability information required to efficiently and reliablydeliver these vertical features to those mobile stations. Also, theinvention provides an additional method and apparatus for wirelesscommunication systems to control the solicitation of the capabilityinformation using the overhead information. The ability to query mobilestations for capability information circumvents the need to configure,maintain, and transport this information around the networkinfrastructure as a mobile station roams between mobile serving areas.

2. Related Art

Wireless communication systems are well known in the art. In a typicalwireless communication system, several base stations connected via amobile switching center provide wireless communication infrastructurewithin a service area. Such combination of stationary base stations andthe mobile switching center is often referred to as the “network.”Within the service area, each of the base stations provides wirelesscommunication capability within a respective cell. Each cell may befurther subdivided into one or more sectors. The base stationscommunicate with subscribing units operating within respective cells.The subscribing units may be hand held units, car mounted units or otherunits capable of communicating with the base stations. The mobileswitching center routes communications between the base stations and thepublic switched telephone network and other mobile switching centerssupporting other respective service areas. Thus, users of thesubscribing units operating within the service area may communicate withusers connected to the public switched telephone network as well asusers of other subscribing units.

Wireless communication systems generally support standard operatingprotocols that specify the communication between subscriber units andbase stations. Standard operating protocols include the Advanced MobilePhone Service (AMPS) standards, the Narrowband Advanced Mobile PhoneService (NAMPS) standards, the Global Standard for Mobility (GSM), theCode Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard and Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA) standards, among others. These standards are typically notcompatible with one another. While some base stations and somesubscribing units may support more than one standard operating protocol,at any given moment in time, a base station and a subscribing unit mustcommunicate using the same protocol.

Further, variations exist within the operating protocols. The AMPSstandard, for example, includes a number of differing standards, such asthe IS-3, TIA/EIA 553, IS-88, IS-91, TIA/EIA 553-A, and IS-95 standards.In addition, a single standard may have different protocol revisions,such as the IS-95A and IS-95B protocol revisions. Thus, complexitiesarise even when the base station and subscribing units operate accordingthe same standard but under differing protocol revisions. While the basestation may support more than one protocol revision, the base stationcannot always determine which protocol revisions the analog subscribingunit supports.

Recently, several vertical features have been incorporated into theNorth American analog cellular standards and the analog sections of dualmode cellular standards, for example the TIA/EIA 553-A and IS-91-Aanalog standards and the IS-95-A dual mode standard. Calling LineIdentification (CLI), Message Waiting Notification (MWN), Short MessageServices (SMS), and Priority Access and Channel Assignment (PACA) areamong the vertical features recently incorporated into the standardscited.

The standards allow some vertical features to be implemented at theoption of mobile station manufacturers. To further complicate matters, asecond layer of options is also allowed. Although a mobile stationmanufacturer may choose to support an optional vertical feature, thestandards often do not require the mobile to support all possiblemechanisms for delivering that vertical feature to the mobile station.For example, SMS is an optional vertical feature in the IS-91-Astandard. However, there are two mechanisms provided for delivering SMSto a mobile station operating in accordance with the IS-91-A standard:the Extended Protocol (EP) SMS message and the Alert With Info SMSmessage. If a mobile manufacturer chooses to support the IS-91-A SMSfeature, it has the option of supporting the EP SMS message, the AlertWith Info SMS message, or both messages. The same is true for theIS-91-A CLI and MWN features. The standard allows the CLI feature to bedelivered using either the EP CLI message or the Alert With Info/FlashWith Info messages. The MWN feature may be delivered using the EP VoiceMail message or the Message Waiting Order.

The variety of these vertical features and the variety of their deliverymechanisms have created implementation difficulties for analogoperations of wireless mobile communication systems. To operateefficiently and reliably when one of these vertical features is to bedelivered to a mobile station, the system is required to know,unambiguously, whether the mobile supports that vertical feature and themechanism(s) by which the mobile accepts delivery of that feature. Onetechnique to address this problem is to require the cellular serviceprovider to record (e.g., datafill) detailed mobile station capabilityinformation in the subscriber's profile. This information would then bepropagated throughout the cellular network wherever the subscriber roamsto and obtains service. North American standards bodies have resistedthe burden that this technique would place upon the cellular network andhave declined to include such a capability in the relevant networkingstandards such as IS-41. Furthermore, cellular service providers preferto maintain service level information (such as whether a customer hassubscribed for SMS rather than the specific option(s) of theair-interface protocol that each mobile manufacturer has chosen tosupport delivery of that service. It is clear that the industry expectsthe analog communication system serving the subscriber to ascertain, asneeded, the vertical features and delivery mechanisms supported by themobile station.

Historically, the 2-bit Mobile Protocol Capability Indicator (MPCI)field that a mobile station reports to an analog communication systemwhen it registers with the system or originates a call was sufficientfor the analog communication system to determine how to provide serviceto the mobile station. A mobile station sets the MPCI to ‘00’ to reportas an analog mobile (any one of IS-3, TIA/EIA-553, IS-88, IS-91,TIA-EIA-553-A, and IS-91-A), sets the MPCI to ‘01’ to report as anIS-54-B mobile (TDMA dual mode), sets the MPCI to ‘10’ to report as anyIS-95 mobile (CDMA dual mode), and sets the MPCI to ‘11’ to report asany IS-136 mobile (TDMA Digital Control Channel dual mode). As such, theMPCI is inadequate to distinguish between analog mobile standards andstandard revisions, much less standard optionality nuances.

When the more modern North American digital standards were beingdeveloped (i.e. IS136, IS95) the standards bodies recognized thelimitation of the MPCI and incorporated extensive facilities in thedigital standards to: 1) communicate the capability of the digitalcommunication system to the digital mobile stations; and 2) to requestthe mobile station for a detailed list of capabilities. Analogcommunication systems may serve analog mobile stations or dual-modedigital/analog mobile stations operating in analog mode. Unfortunately,the ability for analog mobile communication systems to discerncapability information beyond MPCI has not kept pace with theproliferation of standards, standard revisions, and vertical featureoptionality.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a wireless communication systemthat provides support for subscribing units operating in its servicearea, each of which may support differing standards, protocol revisionsand extended services. Such a system must efficiently utilize availablebandwidth within the service area to maximize capacity and minimizetraffic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves technical advantages as an analog or adual mode digital communication system that queries/solicits analog anddual-mode analog/digital mobile stations operating in analog modeconcerning their capabilities, as needed. Hereafter, the term “mobilestation” applies both to analog mobile stations, dual-modeanalog/digital mobile stations and any other multi-mode or multi-bandmobile station that may seek or be assigned analog service. The level towhich mobile station capabilities are discerned is sufficient toefficiently and reliably provide any analog service supported by thestandard to which the mobile station complies.

In accordance with the present invention, the analog communicationsystem may query a mobile station to report its capabilities when themobile station is camping on an analog control channel (ACCH) or whenthe analog communication system has achieved closed-loop communicationwith the mobile station on an analog voice channel (AVCH). Also, theanalog communication system may solicit all mobile stations to reporttheir capabilities when camping on an ACCH. The service providerimplementing this invention shall be able to control the reverse linkACCH traffic by preventing home mobile stations or roaming mobilestations from accessing the system to report their protocol revisionsand service capabilities and rely only on the query mechanism. Thiscontrol mechanism may be accomplished by setting the PCI Home flag andthe PCI Roam flag to ‘0’. Also, the service provider may instruct onlyroaming mobile stations to register their protocol revisions and servicecapabilities by setting the PCI Roaming flag to ‘1’. When a mobilestation implementing the present invention is in a state conducive toreceive and process the protocol capability query order of the presentinvention, the mobile station responsively transmits a protocolcapability report to the analog communication system.

Should a mobile station implementing the present invention be camping onan ACCH when it receives the protocol capability query order, itattempts to transmit its protocol capability report using the sameprocess as for the transmission of a page response. That processrequires the mobile station to enter the Await Message state followingthe transmission of its response. For a time equal to that required fora page response in accordance with the standard to which the mobilestation complies, the mobile station remains in the Await Message stateuntil timer expiration or until one of the following orders or messagesis received from the analog communication system addressed to the mobilestation:

-   -   Release—process the same as required by the relevant standard        when a Release order is received in the Await Message state        following transmission of a page response.    -   MWN Order—the present invention introduces this order as one        that is eligible to be received in the Await Message state        following the transmission of a protocol capability report in        response to a protocol capability query order. The mobile        station processes a MWN order in the normal fashion.    -   Any EP message—the present invention introduces EP messages as        those that are eligible to be received in the Await Message        state following the transmission of a protocol capability report        in response to a protocol capability query order. The mobile        station processes the EP message in the normal manner.

The protocol capability query order is not a substitute for a pageorder. The page order must still be utilized by the analog communicationsystem for call set up. However, the protocol capability query order canbe used to facilitate a vertical feature “locate then deliver” strategythat substantially increases the successful delivery of the verticalfeature once the mobile station serving ACCH has been identified. Inaccordance with the present invention, the mobile station is prohibitedfrom immediately departing the ACCH upon which it transmits its protocolcapability report. This provides a window of opportunity for the analogcommunication system to deliver the vertical feature to the mobilestation on that ACCH.

A mobile station assigned to an AVCH and implementing the presentinvention is capable of receiving the protocol capability query orderand transmitting its protocol capability report in any of the followingstates:

-   -   Waiting For Order—the mobile station confirms the order with the        protocol capability report message. The mobile station remains        in the Waiting for Order Task.    -   Waiting For Answer—the mobile station confirms the order with        the protocol capability report message. The mobile station        remains in the Waiting for Answer Task.    -   Conversation—the mobile station confirms the order with the        protocol capability report message. The mobile station remains        in the Conversation Task.

An analog communication system may be required to query a mobile stationfor its protocol capability on an AVCH because the first time the analogcommunication system needs protocol capability information is when themobile station is on an AVCH. In the case of an Inter-MSC handoff, amobile station may be presented to an MSC for the first time when it isalready on an AVCH. In that case, the MSC has not had an opportunity toquery the mobile station for its protocol capability on an ACCH.

Moreover, other aspects of the present invention will become apparentwith further reference to the drawings and specification which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication systemconstructed according to the present invention having protocolcapability indication support and extended services support;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail a wirelesscommunication system constructed according to the present invention anddetailing operation during movement of a subscribing unit within thesystem;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating structure of records stored within alocation register of a mobile switching center constructed according tothe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating partial register contents of asubscribing unit constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a logic diagram illustrating an overview of operation of awireless communication system constructed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A through 6C are logic diagrams illustrating operation of awireless communication system constructed according to the presentinvention in responding to an overhead broadcast information request;

FIG. 7 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wirelesscommunication system constructed according to the present invention inresponding to a received PCI query order;

FIG. 8 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wirelesscommunication system constructed according to the present invention inexecuting the await message task; and

FIG. 9 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wirelesscommunication system constructed according to the present invention inresponding to a received PCI query order on a voice channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 constructedaccording to the present invention that provides support for multipleprotocols, multiple protocol revisions, multiple extended services andmultiple extended services delivery options. The wireless communicationsystem includes a mobile switching center (MSC) 102, base stations 112and 114 and wireless subscribing units 106, 108, and 110 operatingwithin a service area corresponding to the base stations 112 and 114.The base stations 112 and 114 may support operation according to analogstandards such as AMPS, digital standards such as TDMA and CDMA andaccording to both analog and digital standards.

The base stations 112 and 114 connect to the MSC 102. The MSC 102connects to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 104 and routescalls between the base stations 112 and 114 and between the basestations 112 and 114 and the PSTN 104. Each of the wireless subscribingunits 106, 108, and 110 includes a wireless interface that facilitatesthe wireless communication with the base stations 112 and 114. Suchwireless interfaces, which typically include radio circuitry andprocessing circuitry are known and will not be described further hereinexcept as to expand upon the teachings of the present invention. Thus,in combination, the components of the wireless communication systemallow users of the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110 to communicatewith one another and with users connected to the PSTN 104.

Each of the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110 operates according to oneor more of the standards supported by the base stations 112 and 114. Forexample, subscribing unit 106 may operate according to the AMPS standardwhile subscribing unit 108 may operate according to the TDMA standardand subscribing unit 110 may operate according to the CDMA standard.However, as is evident, communication between any of the subscribingunits 106, 108 or 110 and one of the base stations 112 or 114 must beaccomplished via a protocol supported by the respective base station andsubscribing unit.

The MSC 102 and each base station 112 and 114 each include a protocolcapability indication unit (PCIU) 113, 116 and 118. The PCIUs 113, 116and 118 coordinate operation of the MSC 102, the base stations 112 and114 and the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110 with respect to specificprotocols and protocol revisions. Further, the PCIUs 113, 116 and 118coordinate operation with respect to extended services and the deliveryof extended services. Each of the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110includes an indication unit (IU) 120, 122 and 124, respectively, whichindicates to one or more of the PCIUs 113, 116 and 118 respectivecapabilities of the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110. Thus, the PCIUs113, 116 and 118 work in cooperation with the IUs 120, 122 and 124 tocoordinate operation within the wireless communication system 100 withrespect to supported protocols, protocol revisions, extended servicesand extended service delivery.

In an installation wherein the base stations 112 and 114 support onlyanalog communications, the PCIUs 116 and 118 determine which analogstandards, if any, are supported by each of the subscribing units 106,108, and 110. A determination of support is accomplished via interactionwith the IUs 120, 122 and 124. In making a determination, one or more ofthe PCIUs 113, 116 and 118 may broadcast queries that are received bythe IUs 120, 122 and 124 via respective subscribing units. The IUs 120,122 and 124 may then respond via the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110to indicate to the PCIUs 116, 118 and 113 the particular capabilities ofrespective subscribing units. Based the information exchanged, the PCIUs113, 116 and 118 direct the subscribing units to communicate inparticular fashions with the base stations 112 and 114. Operation in theparticular fashion continues until changes are made.

While the PCIUs 113, 116 and 118 are shown resident in the MSC 102 andbase stations 112 and 114, respectively, they functionality provided bythe PCIUs need not be resident in each location. For example, a singlePCIU 113 in the MSC 102 may facilitate operation according to thepresent invention. Alternatively, PCIUs 116 and 118 residing within thebase stations 112 and 114 could also, by themselves, accomplish thedesired operation. Thus, in general, operations required must merely beaccomplished by the “network” (the base stations 112 and 114 and the MSC102 in combination) in coordination with the subscribing units 106, 108and 110.

Operation of the PCIUs 113, 116, and 118 according to the presentinvention may be accomplished by particular hardware components withinthe network or by general hardware components programmed to operateaccording to the present invention. Likewise, operations accomplished bythe IUs 120, 122 and 124 of the subscribing units 106, 108 and 110,respectively, may be accomplished by specialized hardware or bygeneralized hardware specifically programmed to perform such operations.

In a particular example of operation of the wireless communicationsystem 100, subscribing unit 106 operates according to the AMPSstandard, protocol revision IS-91 and supports no extended services. Inresponse to a broadcast request or query request on an analog controlchannel, the IU 120 of the subscribing unit 106 responds to the PCIU116, indicating its supported operating protocol, protocol revision andthat it supports no extended services. The PCIU 116 coordinates furtheroperation with PCIU 113 causing base stations 112 and 114 to communicatewith subscribing unit 106 in such supported AMPS standard according toprotocol revision IS-91. Further, PCIU 113 prevents the delivery ofextended services to subscribing unit 106 even if the subscribing unit106 would otherwise receive such extended services.

In another operation of the wireless communication system 100,subscribing unit 110 operates according to both the AMPS standard andthe CDMA standard. In such case, subscribing unit 110 may communicatewith the base station 102 according to either standard but may preferoperation under the CDMA standard. Further, the subscribing unit 110 maysupport a particular protocol revision for each standard. Moreover, thesubscribing unit 110 may receive extended services when operatingaccording to the CDMA standard via standard delivery protocols butcannot support extended services under the AMPS standard.

When the subscribing unit 110 first contacts base station 114, itresponds to an analog beacon signal on a control channel. The basestation 114 and the subscribing unit then establish dialog wherein theIU 124 in the subscribing unit indicates to the PCIU 118 in the basestation 114 that the subscribing unit 110 supports a certain protocolrevision of the CDMA standard. The IU 124 also indicates to the PCIU 118that the subscribing unit 110 supports extended services when operatingaccording to the CDMA standard and its supported delivery mechanism. ThePCIU 118, in conjunction with the PCIU 113 in the MSC 102 thendetermines how subsequent communications will occur. Should the basestation 114 support the CDMA standard, the PCIU 118 and PCIU 113 willthen direct the IU 124 of the subscribing unit 114 to operate accordingto the CDMA standard. In subsequent communications with the subscribingunit 110, the base station 114 (and also base station 112) operatesaccording to the supported protocol revision of CDMA standard andprovides extended services to the subscribing unit 114 as indicated.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative wireless communication system 200constructed according to the present invention. As shown, the wirelesscommunication system 200 includes mobile switching centers 202A and 202Binterconnected either directly or via the PSTN 201. Each of these mobileswitching centers 202A and 202B supports additional components thatprovide respective wireless communication coverage. For example, MSC202A provides service to base station controller (BSC) 208 whichconnects to base transceiver stations 210 and 212. As is further shown,MSC 202B supports BSC 218 which in turn supports base transceiverstations (BTSs) 220 and 222. In a typical installation, the MSCs 202Aand 202B would also support further connections to other BSCs (notshown). Each of the BTSs provides wireless communication within arespective cell. For example, BTS 210 provides coverage within cell 214,BTS 212 provides coverage within cell 216, BTS 220 provides coveragewithin cell 224, and BTS 222 provides coverage within cell 226. Thesecells 214, 216, 224 and 226 are shown adjacent one another forillustrative purposes only. In a typical wireless communication system,BTSs would be spaced to provide complete coverage within a service area.

Each of the MSCs 202A and 202B includes a home location register (HLR)and a visitor location register (VLR). For example, MSC 202A includesHLR 204A and VLR 206A while MSC 202B includes HLR 204B and VLR 206B.Each of the HLRs 204A and 204B includes subscriber information for thosesubscribing units that have their home location respective to theparticular MSC 202A or 202B, as the case may be. Upon activation of asubscribing unit within an area served by the wireless communicationsystem 200, subscription information is moved from one of the HLRs 204Aor 204B into one of the VLRs 206A or 206B, depending upon the cellwithin which the subscribing unit becomes active.

For example, assume that a subscribing unit 228 becomes active atposition 230 within cell 214 served by MSC 202A. However, MSC 202B isthe subscribing unit's 228 home MSC. Thus, upon such activation,subscriber information is retrieved from HLR 204B and loaded into VLR206A. MSC 202A then uses the retrieved subscriber information to provideservice for the subscribing unit 228 within those cells served by theMSC 202A. These operations are generally known in the art and notpreviously described herein except as to expand upon the teachings ofthe present invention.

During its operation within the service area provided by the wirelesscommunication system 200, the subscribing unit 228 moves from and tovarious positions within the service area. As discussed, at position 230the subscribing unit 228 is initially activated. Then, the subscribingunit 228 listens for a broadcast signal from BTS 210 which requests thatthe subscribing unit 228 provide a communication protocol capabilityindication and optionally, an indication of the extended services itsupports and supported delivery protocols. When the subscribing unit 228receives the broadcast signal, the subscribing unit 228 responds,indicating its protocol capabilities, its protocol capability revisions,those extended services it supports and its supported extended servicesdelivery mechanisms.

Alternatively, the subscribing unit 228 may be queried to respond withsuch information. Upon such a query request, it provides theinformation. Typically, the broadcast signal and response is on acontrol channel. However, the query request and response could be eitheron the control channel or a voice channel, depending upon whetherongoing communication exists. The PCIU 104A, in cooperation with an IUin the subscribing unit, then determines how subsequent communicationswill be performed in supported locations. After the determination ismade, the pertinent information is stored in the VLR 206A for referenceduring further operations.

When subscribing unit 228 moves from location 230 to location 234, ithas moved from cell 214 supported by BTS 210 to cell 216 which issupported by BTS 212. Since cell 216 is also served by MSC 202A, noadditional steps must be taken. Such is the case because informationrelating to subscribing unit 228 resides within VLR 206A and operationunder the same protocol and protocol revision may continue. However,should the BTS 212 not support the current set of operating parametersdetermined, the PCIU 104A will then coordinate with the subscribing unit228 different operating parameters. The BTS 212 will then communicatewith the subscribing unit 228 according to these different operatingparameters.

Subsequently, when subscribing unit 228 moves from position 234 withincell 216 to position 238 within cell 224, the subscribing unit has movedfrom the service area of MSC 202A to the service area of MSC 202B. Thus,when the subscribing unit moves to cell 224, subscriber information maybe downloaded from HLR 204B to VLR 206B depending upon the particularoperation of the system 200. Further, information relating to theprotocol and extended service capabilities of the subscribing unit 228must also be obtained. While the information could, under somecircumstances, be transferred from VLR 206A to VLR 206B, since theinformation in VLR 206A was determined based upon the protocols andprotocol revisions supported by MSC 202A and related components, it maybe useless for subsequent operation under MSC 202B. Thus, the PCIU 104Btypically will obtain current information from the subscribing unit 228.

Should the subscribing unit 228 have ongoing communication with BTS 220while subscribing unit 228 moves from position 234 to position 238, thePCIU 104B may obtain the information via the voice channel by sharingthe voice channel with the ongoing communication. Alternatively, thePCIU 104B could synthesize such information by those techniquespreviously described for the control channel. Once the information issynthesized, the VLR 206B is updated and subsequent communications underthe MSC 202B are performed according to the information.

FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of records contained within VLR 204A orVLR 204B of MSCs 202A and 202B according to the present invention. VLRrecords 300 includes standard entries relating to subscriptioninformation for particular subscribing units as well as entries relatingto the operation of a wireless communication system constructedaccording to the present invention. While entries 301 and 310 are shown,with each corresponding to a different subscribing unit, the VLR records300 will contain entries for every subscribing unit operating within thearea served by the respective MSC.

As was previously described, when a subscribing unit initially becomesactive within a service area served by an MSC, subscription informationfrom the subscribing unit's home location register are loaded into theVLR. Such standard entries 302A are retrieved from the HLR of therespective subscribing unit. However, the subscribing unit's revisionlevels (standards supported) 304A, the list of extended featuressupported by the subscribing unit 306A, and the air interface protocolssupported by the subscribing unit 308A are determined by the PCIU viacommunication with the subscribing unit IU.

Subscribing unit revision levels 304A and 304B indicate the particularcommunications standard(s) supported by the subscribing unit. Mobilerevision levels under the AMPS standards could include, for example,IS-3, 553, IS-88, IS-91, 553-A, and IS-91-A. The lists of featuressupported 306A and 306B indicates those extended services supported bythe respective subscribing unit, for example, calling line ID, messagewaiting notification, and short message services. The lists of featuressupported also indicate the manner in which the extended services aredelivered to the subscribing unit. Finally, the lists of air interfacessupported 308A and 308B indicate the protocols supported by thesubscribing units. The air interfaces supported 308A and 308B mayindicate the protocol or protocols that support such features for therespective subscribing units.

FIG. 4 illustrates various registers provided within a subscribing unitconstructed according to the present invention. Registers PUREG 402,PDREG 404, LREG 406, LRCC 408, and RAND 410 are registers employedduring normal operation of the subscribing unit. Register PUREG 402represents a power up registration. Register PDREG 404 represents thepower down registration. The register LREG 406 represents location arearegistration.

Register PCID_(S) 412 is the protocol capability identification registerand is set at zero at the power-up. Register PCI_HOME_(S) 414 representsthe protocol capability indicator flag for the HOME mobile station.Register PCI_ROAM_(S) 416 is the protocol capability indicator forroaming. Register SID_(S) 418 is the system ID of the serving system(Serving System ID). Register SID_(R) 420 is the system ID of thereceiving system, the received system ID. Finally, register BIS_(S) 422is the busy-idle status bit register.

FIG. 5 illustrates a generalized flow diagram for the operation of awireless communication system according to the present invention.Operation commences at step 501 wherein the subscribing unit powers up(or resets) within a cell served by the wireless communication system.An example of such operation is illustrated with respect to subscribingunit 228 operating at position 230 within cell 214 illustrated in FIG.2. After such power up at step 501, operation proceeds to step 502wherein the subscribing unit initializes the parameters, i.e. thecontents of the registers previously described with respect to FIG. 4.In such case, the subscribing unit sets the contents of each registerdescribed in FIG. 4 to the logical value zero. Thus, each of theregisters PUREG 402, PDREG 404, LREG 406, LRCC 408, RAND 410, PCID_(S)412, PCI_HOME_(S) 414, PCI_ROAM_(S) 416, SID_(S) 418, SID_(R) 420 andBIS_(S) 422 are set to a logical zero value at step 502. From step 502operation proceeds to step 504 wherein the subscribing unit locks onto acontrol channel. As is known, control channels are channels providedthat allow the base stations (BTS, BSC, and MSC in combination) toestablish communication with subscribing units operating withinrespective service areas.

Once such control channel has been locked onto at step 504, operationproceeds to step 506 wherein the subscribing unit receives and updatesits control information. During receiving and updating the controlinformation, the subscribing unit may determine that it is not in thesame system (SID) in which it previously operated and updates itsinternal parameters accordingly. From step 506, operation proceeds tostep 510 wherein the subscribing unit listens to the control channelwhile entering and awaiting instructions from the network. In such idlestate at step 510, the subscribing unit may enter various operations.

Standard operations include originating a call at step 520, registeringat step 524, receiving a page at step 528 and authenticating at step532. Upon originating a call at step 520, operation relating to suchorigination would be serviced at step 522. Upon completion of step 522operation would proceed to step 504. Upon entering a registrationoperation, the registration is serviced at step 526 and operation alsoproceeds then to step 504. A paging operation at step 528 may includereceiving a page or responding to a page. After such operation at step528, the page request and response is serviced at step 530. From step530, operation proceeds again to step 504. Upon initiation ofauthentication at step 532, operation proceeds to step 534 wherein theauthentication is serviced. From step 534 operation proceeds to step504.

According to the present invention, the subscribing unit may receive abroadcast receipt at step 512. Such broadcast receipt may cause thesubscribing unit to initiate a PCI registration at step 514. Theoperation of step 514 will be discussed in more detail subsequently.Once the PCI registration is complete at step 514, operation returns tostep 504. At step 516, the subscribing unit may receive a PCI queryorder. Upon receiving a PCI query order at step 516, the subscribingunit executes a PCI order confirmation at step 518. Such PCI orderconfirmation causes the subscribing unit to provide standard and featureinformation to the base station that will cause the VLR recordcorresponding to the subscribing unit to be updated. Such is also thecase with the information provided in the PCI registration response atstep 514. From both steps 514 and 518 operation proceeds again to step504.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate operation of the wireless communicationsystem according to the present invention in responding to a broadcastreceipt. Such steps were previously described in general at steps 512and 514 of FIG. 5. Upon receipt of a broadcast at step 601, thesubscribing unit proceeds to step 602 wherein it determines whetherregister contents SID_(R) are equal to register contents SID_(S). Theparameter SID_(R) was previously received at step 512 and represents theidentification of the current system providing wireless communication tothe subscribing unit. Thus, with parameter SID_(S) representing theprevious system ID, the subscribing unit determines whether thisparticular broadcast reception has been previously responded to. If theanswer to such determination at step 602 is no, operation proceeds tostep 604 wherein the system parameters for the current system arereceived. Then, from step 604, operation proceeds to step 605 whereinoperation then proceeds back to step 504 of FIG. 5.

However, if at step 602 it is determined SID_(R) is equal to SID_(S)operation proceeds to step 606 wherein the subscribing unit receives anaccess type parameter message from the base station. Such access typeparameter messages include local control messages, access type parametermessages, new access channel set messages, registration incrementmessages, location area messages, random challenge A messages, randomchallenge B messages, registration ID messages, a rescan message, andany other message required to provide such protocol and standardoperation.

From step 606 operation proceeds to step 608 wherein the subscribingunit updates its busy idle status bit (BIS_(S)) which is set to thevalue of the busy idle status field of the received message. Alsoupdated are the PCI_HOME_(S) register value and the PCI_ROAM_(S)register values 414 and 416, respectively. Operation then proceeds tostep 610 where it is determined whether the subscribing unit is roaming.If the subscribing unit is not roaming, operation proceeds to step 612where it is determined whether the register contents PCI_HOME_(S) isequal to one. If the PCI_HOME_(S) register is not equal to one operationproceeds to off page connector 614. However, if the PCI_HOME_(S)register contents is equal to one, operation proceeds to step 618.

If at step 610 it is determined that the subscribing unit is roaming,operation proceeds to step 616. If at step 616 register contentsPCI_ROAM_(S) equal to zero then operation proceeds to off page connector614. However, if at step 616 it is determined that the register contentsPCI_ROAM_(S) is not equal to zero, operation proceeds to step 618.

At step 618 it is determined whether the PCID_(S) is equal to one. Ifthe PCID_(S) is equal to one operation proceeds to off page connector614. However, if register contents PCID_(S) is not equal to one, thenoperation proceeds to step 620 wherein the register PCID_(S) is set one.From step 620, operation proceeds to step 622 wherein the mobileaccesses the system with the PCI registration indication. Such stepsassociated with step 622 will be discussed in more detail with referenceto FIG. 6C. From step 622 operation proceeds to step 624 whereinoperation proceeds again to step 504 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, from off page connector 614, operationproceeds to step 630 wherein the receiving system identifier SID_(R) isupdated. From step 630, operation proceeds to step 632 where it isdetermined whether SID_(R) is equal to SID_(S). If such is not the caseat step 632, operation proceeds to step 634 wherein the operationproceeds again to step 504 of FIG. 5. However, if at step 632 it isdetermined that SID_(R) is equal to SID_(S), then operation proceeds tostep 636 wherein the numeric values associated with the system areupdated in the subscribing unit. Thus, effectively, at such point,parameters identifying the most recent system within which thesubscribing unit has established operation become current.

Next, at step 638, it is determined whether autonomous registration isrequired. If autonomous registration is not required, operation proceedsto step 640 wherein the subscribing unit responds to the overheadinformation via communication with the base station. Then, from step640, operation proceeds at step 641 back to step 614 wherein thesubscribing unit continues its response to the overhead information. Ifat step 638, autonomous registration is not required, operation proceedsto step 642 wherein the subscribing unit accesses the base station witha system registration indication. From step 642 operation then proceedsagain to step 504 of FIG. 5 at step 643.

FIG. 6C illustrates in more detail operation accomplished in step 622 ofFIG. 6A. First, at step 650, the subscribing unit sends word A to thebase station. Word A, as illustrated in Table 1 below, includes an orderqualifier for the subscribing unit as well as mobile identificationnumber subpart one. From step 650 operation proceeds to step 652 whereit is determined whether the response is a PCI registration. If theresponse is not a PCI registration at step 652, the subscribing unitperforms the action required which is not a PCI registration action atstep 654. From step 654 operation proceeds again to step 504 of FIG. 5.

However, if the activity is a PCI registration at step 652 operationproceeds to step 658 wherein the subscribing unit sends word B to thebase station. Word B, as illustrated in Table 2 below includes mobileidentification number (MIN) subpart two as well as other information.Then, at step 660 it is determined whether authentication is required ofthe subscribing unit. If authentication is not required, operationproceeds to step 662 where it is determined whether the serial number isrequested by the base station. If the serial number is not requested bythe base station operation at step 662, operation proceeds to step 664wherein word C, which would otherwise include the serial number, is notsent by the subscribing unit. However, if the serial number is requiredto be sent at step 662, the subscribing unit sends such serial number asword C at step 666. From both step 664 and step 666 operation proceedsto step 676.

TABLE 1 Word A - Abbreviated Address Word Information Element Length(bits) F 1 NAWC 3 T 1 S 1 E 1 ER = 0 1 SCM (3-0) 4 MIN1 24 P 12

TABLE 2 Word B - Extended Address Word Information Element Length (bits)F = 0 1 NAWC 3 LOCAL/MSG_TYPE = TBD 5 ORDQ = TBD 3 ORDER = TBD 5 LT 1 EP1 SCM(4) 1 MPCI 2 SDCC1 2 SDCC2 2 MIN2₃₃₋₂₄ 10 P 12

If authentication is required at step 660, operation proceeds to step670 where it is determined whether or not the serial number is required.If the serial number is not required, then the authentication which mayinclude protocol information is sent at step 672. However, if the serialnumber is required at step 670 the subscribing unit sends the serialnumber and authentication at step 674. From both step 672 and step 674operation proceeds to step 676.

At step 676 it is determined whether the access is a PCI registration bydetermining whether PCID_(S)=1. If the access is not a PCI registrationoperation, proceeds to step 678 wherein the required action isperformed. If the access is a PCI registration request at step 676,operation proceeds to step 680 wherein registration confirmation isawaited by the subscribing unit. Upon receipt of such registrationconfirmation operation proceeds to step 678 as it does from step 676. Atstep 678, operation proceeds again to step 504 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates operation according to the present invention in moredetail than those steps described at blocks 516 and 518 of FIG. 5. Atstep 702, the subscribing unit receives a PCI query order. Upon suchreceipt of the PCI query order, operation proceeds to step 704 whereinthe subscribing unit enters a system access with a PCI orderconfirmation. Then, the subscribing unit sends word A at step 706.

From step 706 operation proceeds to step 708 where it is determinedwhether the access is an order confirmation. If the access is not anorder confirmation, operation proceeds to step 710 wherein the requiredaction is performed and then to step 712. At step 712, it is determinedwhether word B is to be sent. If so, operation proceeds to step 714where word B is sent to the base station. Also, if at step 708 it isdetermined that the access is not an order confirmation, operation alsoproceeds to step 714 wherein word B is sent. From step 714, operationproceeds to step 720. At step 720 the action to be taken is determined.After such determination at step 720, the subscribing unit enters anawait message task at step 722 wherein the subscribing unit waitsfurther instructions from the base station.

FIG. 8 illustrates operation upon entering the await message taskdescribed with respect to FIG. 7. Upon entering the await message taskat step 802, a timer is set and the subscribing unit waits. Upon thereceipt of a message at step 804 the subscribing unit determines whetherthe message is a release message at step 810. If the message is arelease message, operation proceeds to step 816 wherein the subscribingunit receives the message, presents the message and is released.Operation then proceeds from step 816 where operation proceeds again tostep 504 of FIG. 5. However, if at step 810, it is determined that themessage is not a release message, operation proceeds to step 812 whereinit is determined that the message is a message waiting notification. Ifthe message is not a message wait notification, operation proceeds tostep 802 without a timer reset. If at step 812 it is determined that themessage is a message waiting notification, operation proceeds to step818.

Upon a timeout at step 806, operation proceeds to step 818 and then tostep 504 of FIG. 5. Such operation would occur when the subscribing unitreceives no message from the base station during the expected timeperiod. Such could be the case during heavy loading periods or if thesubscribing unit has lost communication with the base station.

FIG. 9 illustrates operation according to step 518 of FIG. 5 but whenthe subscribing unit is in communication with the base station on avoice channel. In such case, the subscribing unit receives a PCI queryorder at step 902 over the voice channel. During ongoing communications,the base station interrupts for a small period of time any voicecommunication to initiate contact with the subscribing unit on the voicechannel. During such contact, PCI query information is sent to thesubscribing unit and the subscribing unit responds according to suchquery. However, during voice communication initiation operations whereinongoing voice communication has not been established, such PCI query maybe sent to the subscribing unit and the subscribing unit may respond tosuch PCI query without interrupting such ongoing voice communications.

From step 902, operation proceeds to step 904 wherein the subscribingunit and base station continue the voice communications. Duringcontinued voice communications, the subscribing unit may respond to thebase station or may respond to the PCI query if it has not previouslydone so. In such case, the subscribing unit may wait for a window toopen during which it may respond to the base station. When such windowis opened at step 906, operation proceeds to step 908 wherein thesubscribing unit provides a PCI report to the base station. From step908 operation proceeds again to step 904 wherein the voice communicationis continued.

From step 904, operation may proceed to step 910 wherein the voicecommunication is ended. Upon the end of such voice communication of step910, operation proceeds to step 912 wherein operation returns to step504 of FIG. 5. Thus, PCI registration based upon a query order may beaccomplished over the voice channel when such channel is availableduring normal operations.

Appendices A, B and C illustrate the principles of the present inventionincorporated into three separate protocol standards. However, theprinciples of the present invention could be implemented into additionalprotocol standards as well.

In view of the above detailed description of the present invention andassociated drawings, other modifications and variations will now becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. It should also be apparent thatsuch other modifications and variations may be effected withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as setforth in the claims which follow.

1. A method for operating a mobile station to receive extended servicesfrom a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving abroadcast transmission from a base station of the wireless communicationsystem, the broadcast transmission including at least one parameterintended to preclude the mobile station from unilaterally reporting itsprotocol capabilities to the base station; receiving a query from thebase station on an analog channel to report protocol capabilitiessupported by the mobile station; transmitting a protocol capabilityreport to the base station that indicates at least one extended serviceand at least one extended services delivery option supported by themobile station; and receiving the at least one extended service from thebase station corresponding to the at least one extended servicesdelivery option supported by the mobile station.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the broadcast transmission includes parameters intended topreclude non-roaming mobile stations from unilaterally reporting theirprotocol capabilities to the base station.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the broadcast transmission includes parameters intended topreclude roaming mobile stations from unilaterally reporting theirprotocol capabilities to the base station.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the broadcast transmission includes: first parameters intendedto direct non-roaming mobile stations whether to unilaterally reporttheir protocol capabilities to the base station; and second parametersintended to direct roaming mobile stations whether to unilaterallyreport their protocol capabilities to the base station.
 5. The method ofclaim 1: wherein the mobile station receives the query via an analogcontrol channel; and further comprising camping, for a period of time,on the analog control channel to await delivery of the at least oneextended service after reporting its protocol capabilities to the basestation.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the period of time iscomparable to a period of time the mobile station would camp on theanalog control channel after responding to a page from the base station.7. The method of claim 1: wherein the mobile station receives the queryvia a traffic channel while servicing an ongoing call; and wherein theongoing call is temporarily interrupted to receive the query and totransmit the protocol capability report.
 8. The method of claim 7,further comprising the call being handed over from a previously servingwireless communication system to the wireless communication system.
 9. Amobile station comprising: means for receiving a broadcast transmissionfrom a base station of a wireless communication system, the broadcasttransmission including at least one parameter intended to preclude themobile station from unilaterally reporting its protocol capabilities tothe base station; means for receiving a query from the base station onan analog channel to report protocol capabilities supported by themobile station; means for transmitting a protocol capability report tothe base station that indicates at least one extended service and atleast one extended services delivery option supported by the mobilestation; and means for receiving the at least one extended service fromthe base station corresponding to the at least one extended servicesdelivery option supported by the mobile station.
 10. The mobile stationof claim 9, wherein the broadcast transmission includes instructionsintended to preclude non-roaming mobile stations from unilaterallyreporting their protocol capabilities to the base station.
 11. Themobile station of claim 9, wherein the broadcast transmission includesinstructions intended to preclude roaming mobile stations fromunilaterally reporting their protocol capabilities to the base station.12. The mobile station of claim 9, wherein the broadcast transmissionincludes: first parameters intended to direct non-roaming mobilestations whether to unilaterally report their protocol capabilities tothe base station; and second parameters intended to direct roamingmobile stations whether to unilaterally report their protocolcapabilities to the base station.
 13. The mobile station of claim 9,further comprising: means for receiving the query via an analog controlchannel; and means for camping, for a period of time, on the analogcontrol channel to await delivery of the at least one extended serviceafter reporting its protocol capabilities to the base station.
 14. Themobile station of claim 13, wherein the period of time is comparable toa period of time the mobile station would camp on the analog controlchannel after responding to a page from the base station.
 15. The mobilestation of claim 9, further comprising: means for receiving the queryvia a traffic channel while servicing an ongoing call; and means fortemporarily interrupting the ongoing call to receive the query and totransmit the protocol capability report.